It seems that when the winemaker worked with this wine, an angel stood on his shoulder – so delicate and perfect is this wine. The production of ice wine is a difficult and long-lasting process. In Moldova, it is especially difficult to obtain them, because not every year falls luck to wait for the natural freezing of grapes on the bushes.
Rare luck!
Fautor Winery several years tried to get frozen grapes, leaving part of the crop to wait for the frost. But the grapes were lost. For example, in 2015 the frost hit only in the first days of January, and snow fell. The owners of the company at that time were abroad. The agronomist called them to tell the good news that in two days it will be possible to collect Riesling for Ice-wine (it is necessary to keep the grapes at a temperature of not less than -7 ° C for three days). However, when the agronomist came to the plantation, he saw a big flock of crows eating from the frozen grapes. The vineyard became black from these birds, who began to eat grapes. Until the snow did not cover the ground, the crows ate what they found on the ground. But when their food remained under the snow, they moved into the vineyard and ate all the grapes until the last bead. The vineyards remained clean as if you say the workers did their work with honesty.
In 2016 the winemakers were a little bit more lucky – on October 12 they were the first frosts, and on October 18, before sunrise, frozen grapes of Traminer and Muscat-Ottonel were harvested. So the Fautor Winery finally produced their first Ice Wine.
For patient winemakers
If you do not show patience with this wine, then the chances of getting a good wine are minimal, because the fermentation of the must, its clarification and all technological stages are different from those of a typical wine, – says production director Croitoru Tatiana. –The future Ice-wine is like a spoiled child, who behaves so that everyone will pay attention to him. During production, there were moments when we did not understand why we did everything right, but the wine behaves “weird”. It turns out that he just needs more time to become himself.
Because Ice-wine is a special wine, we wanted to emphasize this to the consumer through its design as well. On the label are illustrated real frozen flowers, as in the aroma of wine predominates floral notes. We decided not to use a capsule on the neck of a bottle, but a special wax that, like a button, covers the cork stopper, and through this we once again wanted to highlight the Ice Wine. For such a seemingly trifle, we ordered a special apparatus in Italy. Of course, this arrangement is much more expensive, but Ice-wine deserves the bottle opening process to be different, thus preparing the consumer for something special, making a holiday atmosphere.
And when you open the bottle, and there is a wine that you like…. All of this gives rise to the moments for which we make this wine, and the consumer prepares in advance, anticipating the pleasure.”
Real fluid gold
The ice wine, not in vain, was called golden wine. The process of producing this wine is very laborious. Grapes are harvested not only by bunches, but also by individual grape because they crumble strongly. The grapes are loaded into the press from above, directly from the crates. During this time, grapes do not have to oxidize, so a special atmosphere is created in the press. The production of ice wine takes much more grapes than the usual wine. The yield of must – no more than 30%. And the pressing process itself is quite hard for the equipment, because only concentrated juice is squeezed out, and the frozen water remains in the ice.
What’s in the glass?
Ice Wine Traminer – Muscat Ottonel, 2016 has a bright yellow color. In this blend, Traminer has a dominant position of 78%, Muscat – 22% (were processed separately and then joined together). This was fully manifested in the flavor. First note – warm, floral. Intense aromas of rose petals, linden flowers and honey. If we leave the wine in the glass for a few minutes, the floral aromas give way to fruit – notes of apricot jam, when it is brewed, and a ripe pear.
The wine is consistent, oily and very soft. Pleasant acidity refreshes the taste. Otherwise, with a sugar content of 125 g / dm3, the taste would be flat. Alcohol content – 12.5%. All components of the wine are perfectly balanced. In the end, the sensational taste of apricot jam leaves on the palate a pleasant aftertaste.
This wine can be a wonderful gift for a woman.
Awards
Until his appearance on the market, Ice Wine Traminer Muscat- Ottonel 2016, won his first medals in the contest Black Sea Region Wine & Spirits Contest` 2018 Chișinău – GOLD MEDAL and at Mundus Vini 2018 Germany – BRONZE MEDAL. Then followed: Concours Mondiale de Bruxelles – SILVER MEDAL, Decanter World Wine Awards 2018, UK – GOLD MEDAL.
Where can you buy?
Ice Wine Traminer-Muscat-Ottonel 2016 is available in the N1 hypermarket, Fourchette Gourmet supermarket, in the wine shops and some restaurants from Chisinau. Also, the Ice Wine and Fautor’s late harvest wines are also found in Portugal in the Pingo Doce store network.
This wine reminded:
Here I am.
Will you send me an angel?
Here I am
In the land of the morning star.
